The Best Fan And Humidifier Combos For Your Money

August 13, 2018

Fan and humidifier combos offer several of the most beneficial – and cost-effective – ways to cool a room, improve the humidity, and make a room more comfortable. They use only a tiny fraction of electricity vs an air conditioner.

But which ones are actually worth buying? And what are the details you need to be aware of when comparing different models?

In order to help you make a smart buying decision I’ve put in the time, research, and testing to help. Here you’ll find 5 of the best fan and humidifier combos available today.

Be sure to check out my Editor’s Choice top picks for the best overall values that won’t let you down.

1. Honeywell CO30XE – Some of the best air cooling, fan, and humidifier performance I’ve reviewed yet.

It’s excellent for medium-size rooms up to 320 square ft (30 square meters) in size. It’s not just a fan or simply a humidifier, but an effective way to stay cool, too.

It includes 3-in-1 cooling and air comfort features:

Cooling

Humidification

A powerful fan

Much like a real breeze from nature, the powerful fan feels just like a wonderful gust of wind from across a lake. It’s that nice!

4 fan modes are available: Low, Medium, High, and Natural. Set it to Natural mode and the unit randomly oscillates and changes fan speed to simulate a real breeze. How cool is that?

Even better, it’s weather resistant, meaning you can also use it outdoors for barbecues, gatherings, or just lounging comfortably on the porch.

Controls for the CO30XE are easy to use and clearly labeled. It’s a great design I really appreciate, and you will, too. You can easily control cooling, oscillation, the timer feature, and more with a push of the button. The panel also lets you know when your water supply is running out as well.

The controls are some of the best I’ve seen on a combo fan/humidifier cooling unit. Most on the market are “ok”, but Honeywell, once again, sets the bar higher.

Electronic pushbutton controls run all functions and a simple but clear indicator display tells you the status of both the current mode and the water tank status (low or ok).

An auto-off timer feature allows you to set it and forget it. Choose from 1/2, 1, 2, or 4 hours of carefree operation.

The Honeywell provides even more features! There’s a handy remote control included (for all major functions you need). For excellent cooling with the electricity costs of an air conditioner, add ice to the provided top compartment. It’s an inexpensive way to cool out for less!

One fantastic feature I love is the included remote control. It lets you operate all the major functions at your convenience. No need to get up!

You can get even cooler air by using the provided ice compartment on top. By adding ice you can bring the temperature down even further and chill the room nicely.

The attached water tank is removable for easier cleaning or water filling or use the side water fill opening.

Rollers are located on the base making easy to move it anywhere you need it.

PROS:

UV and weather resistant for outdoor use option

Full-featured remote control

Natural fan mode simulates a real breeze

Powerful 525 CFM airflow

3 fan speeds + 1 fan mode (Natural)

Oscillation feature

Removable water tank

Carbon dust filter

Clear, easy-to-see display

Push button electronic controls

Auto-off timer

Low water indicator

Ice compartment

7.9 gallon water capacity

Moderate noise level (64dB)

Eco-friendly & no additives needed

Great for medium-sized spaces, garages, BBQ areas, and decks

CONS:

Water tank could be larger

No extra styles or colors offered

No hose attachment provided

Not as quiet as smaller room models

More expensive than personal models

The Honeywell CO30XE is a well-made, well-performing fan, air cooler, and humidifier. The features are simply better than much of the competition.

The Honeywell quality really seals the deal, while being able to use it outdoors is a definite plus in my opinion.

It works great as an air cooler, tower fan, and humidifier – all in one!

3 cooling speeds and wind modes control which way the comforting breeze blows to get you comfortable in even the hottest environments.

The EC220W provides a whopping 650 square feet of cooling coverage. For an added cooling boost you can also drop ice into the water feed if you like.

Some of the best features that set it apart are:

Eco-friendly and safe

Low electricity use

Optional fan direction oscillation

Manual fan direct adjustment

Humidifier-only use

Direct water hose hookup provided

A powerful blower design

Easy to move – 4 locking caster wheels provided

It’s also simple to use and one of the most effective on the market as well.

(Left) The Luma Comfort fan/cooler/humidifier combo has both a fill opening for water fill up and a direct water hose connection as well. (Right) A convenient water level indicator provides easy viewing from the front.

It’s also easy to refill, but the great news is you won’t have to do so often thanks to the 10 gallon water tank. When it’s time to refill, just use the rear water fill opening or you can even connect a standard water hose if you like.

The evaporative cooling process the fan and humidifier combo provides requires many times less electricity than air conditioning. The powerful fan blows and cools using the internal water pads.

No chemicals or added expenses are needed!

Controls are clearly labeled and easy to use – it’s one of simplest I’ve run across. 3 controls are provided: cooling on/off, fan speed, and fan swing (oscillation). You can also adjust the airflow direction manually.

Despite being one of the best on the market, it’s also one of the simplest to use anywhere. 3 fan speeds are selectable (low, medium, and high) along with the cooling on/off feature.

You can also switch on the optional motorized fan oscillation feature to distribute soothing, cool air across the room.

Measuring 27.4 x 17.2 x 41.3 inches in size and about 41 lbs, it’s not a small unit. It’s a great fit for cooling or humidifying your home, warehouse, greenhouse, and anywhere you want powerful and effective humidity, air, and cooling.

I do have a few minor complaints, however. I wish a auto-off timer feature was built-in and a remote as well. Those are both features you’ll find in some of the competing lower-priced products.

If you’ve got the budget, this one’s a winner! What I like about is how well made it is and that it really delivers.

PROS:

Powerful airflow (1650 cubic feet/minute)

Water hose hookup

Water level gauge

May add ice for improved cooling

Locking wheel casters provided

Oscillation feature

Humidity-only option (cooling off)

Uses much less electricity vs AC

Eco-friendly and safe

650 sq. ft room coverage

10 gallon water tank

Simple to use

Good documentation

Many happy buyers & great reviews

CONS:

Large (41″ tall) and heavy (41lbs)

No remote control

1 year warranty only

No additional color choices

No auto-off timer feature

Not a budget model

Water tank isn’t removable

Manual controls (not electronic like Honeywell)

The Luma Comfort EC220W really impressed me with its build quality and user-friendly easy of use. I’m sure you’ll be happy with it as well.

Despite a few minor quibbles, it’s one of the best you’ll find anywhere and I recommend it to anyone.

3. Honeywell CS074AE – A feature-packed winner for under $200. Great small-room fan, air cooling, and humidifier performance.

It’s a well-made indoor fan/humidifier/air cooler that’s perfect for personal spaces and small rooms up to 120 square feet in size. It’s also one of the best of its kind for sleep and low-noise use that won’t disturb you.

4 fan speeds provide you with the best fan performance at any moment:

Ultra-low

Low

Medium

Hight

Unique to the unit is Honeywell’s clever mode function. Set it to Sleep and after 1 hour the unit will automatically switch to the ultra-low speed. Set it to Natural and the unit will simulate a real fresh air breeze by slowly cycling through ultra-low, low, and medium speeds.

Very nice!

(Top) The Honeywell air cooler provides a clear and easy-to-use pushbutton display with backlit indicators (note: you can turn off the display panel lighting). Push button controls make operation a snap! (Bottom) The 1.59 gallon water tank has a water fill level gauge that’s easy to see at a glance.

I found the controls (much like other Honeywell products I’ve tested) straightforward and easy to use. 6 push button controls make it easy to switch on or air fan modes, fan speeds, oscillation (“swing” function), the auto timer, and more.

Speaking of the auto-timer, you can select up to 15 hours of operation before the unit shuts off automatically. It’s a great feature to have.

Want to really chill the room and cool out to the greatest potential? It includes 2 reusable ice packs you can freeze and insert for chilling the cooling water tank.

Alternatively, you can add your own ice to really chill the water tank contents for enhanced cooling effects.

You also get a great little remote control that feels great in the hand. It lets you do nearly everything without having to stop what you’re doing. Very convenient! You can change the mode, cooling speeds, set it to sleep mode, or even turn off the display panel lighting. It’s a sharp little feature I really appreciated.

The included remote isn’t any less impressive, by the way. it’s one of the best I’ve seen in this price range (the air cooler sells for below $200). With it you can do ALL of the functions you can do from the control panel.

Note that it requires 2 x AAA batteries, which aren’t included (I wasn’t too happy about this, but oh well).

A convenient carrying handle folds up when needed for moving it easily, while the base’s rolling caster wheels make relocating it a snap.

My opinion? It’s a well-made product that lives up the Honeywell reputation for excellent features, engineering, and performance.

It’s also one of the best money can buy for low noise operation when at night time.

PROS:

Includes 2 ice packs for cooling boost

Low noise sleep mode

200 CFM airflow rate

Auto timer feature (15 hrs max)

Ice can be added for increased cooling

Remote control included

4 fan speeds, 3 fan modes: Normal, Natural, and Sleep

Natural mode simulates a fresh air breeze

Low water alarm

Display backlight on/off control

Fan oscillation feature

Mesh dust filter

Rolling caster wheels for mobility

Carrying handle

Water tank is detachable

1.59 gal Water tank is easy to fill

Well-made

Efficient (only 65W max.)

Electronic push button controls

Nice display panel

CONS:

Water tank could be bigger

No lock feature on wheels

Remote batteries not included

Black model may be hard to find or not in production

No Turbo fan mode like some Honeywell products offer

I was definitely impressed by this little guy. If you’re looking to spend less than $200 but want the best for your money, it’s sure thing.

Do you want the advantages of a fan, cooling, and a humidifier in one reasonably priced package? You can’t go wrong here.

The Quilo 3-in-1 portable air cooler/fan/humidifier is a fresh take on air comfort design. So much so that it was a finalist in the 2018 Global Innovation Awards product design excellence recognition awards.

It’s a sleek-looking and advanced take on the modern-day evaporative air cooler concept. Don’t worry, though – it’s not just a great-looking product, but one that’s different.

I had a chance to get really familiar with it and I’m happy to say there are plenty of things that set it apart from average competitors.

For example, its one of the most portable designs around. Not only is it easy to move, but the design is well thought out. The rear wheels are large while the front ones are smaller and swiveled, adding stability to it when it’s parked and ready for use.

(Left) The Quilo air cooler includes a simple but easy-to-use remote control for convenience you’ll love. It’s a great option that I really enjoyed using. (Right) The unit’s water level gauge provides a soft light at night to show you the current water level at a glance. It’s a comforting and enjoyable light that really adds a touch of class to any room.

Much like the Honeywell CS074AE I reviewed and recommended above, the Quilo QE1SKS also provides a handy and extremely useful remote control. While it’s a more generic-looking remote, it works well and lets you control all the basic functions you need.

The Quilo features a great-looking control panel with modern push button electronic controls. The “feel” is excellent, with great tactile feedback for your fingers. It’s also one of the best-looking displays you’ll find on an air cooler and fan/humidifier combo today. Lesser models don’t even begin to compare! Operation is really easy as the controls are clearly labeled and simple to understand.

The Quilo’s controls are some of the best I’ve seen yet (aside from the Honeywell CS074AE I reviewed above) and are really easy to use. Electronic push button controls provide single-push operation of everything.

The excellent features available are:

Swing (fan oscillation) on/off operation

Auto-off timer selection (1/2, 1, 2, and 4 hr options)

Fan speed (Levels 1-3)

Air cooling on/off

Power on/off

Normal / sleep (low-noise) mode operation

Another great feature the Quilo QE1SKS offers is the top-loading ice compartment (left). Just add ice easily when you want to bring the air cooling effectiveness to its best potential. It’s a great – and VERY energy-efficient – way to get around the tremendous power use an air conditioner needs. (Right) Filling the water tank is easy. Just open the pour access and add water as needed. The water level indicator will let you know when it’s time.

Although the Quilo already provides an energy-efficient and cost-effective way to cool you and your room, there’s another great feature in store for you. Just open the top compartment and you’ll find you can easily add ice and bring the cooling air’s temperature down even further.

It works great, and is another reason the Quilo 3-in-1 is such a great choice.

Ready for bed? Switch to sleep mode and you’ll get an ultra-quiet fan mode with an incredibly low 24dB noise level. That’s lower than any air quality product I’ve tested so far!

On those hot days when you really need the best room coverage and cooling performance, turn on the oscillation feature to automatically move the louvers side-to-side and sweep your room with comfortable and soothing refreshing air.

All in all, while there are few things it doesn’t offer like the competition from Honeywell, it’s an excellent unit that’s well-designed and distinctively well done.

And did I mention? It uses an incredibly low 7.4 watts while in Quiet mode!

PROS:

Great front-mounted display panel

Excellent push button electronic controls

3 fan speeds + quiet mode

Remote control included

Auto-off timer (1/2, 1, 2, and 4 hr options)

Top-located ice compartment

Oscillation feature

Quiet mode for whisper level (24dB) operation

Carbon filter traps dust and pollutants

Low-noise & energy-efficient brushless motor

Water filter prevents debris from entering the cooling system

30-day satisfaction guarantee

Easy to contact the company by email or phone

Caster wheels & carrying handles

Water tank level on front of base

Soft night light behind water level

Easy to use

CONS:

Remote control is more basic than competitors

No natural breeze simulation feature (like Honeywell)

Auto-off timer could have more time selections

No reusable freeze packs included unlike some competitors

Cannot turn off display lights

Not good for larger rooms

Fan airflow (211 CFM) is limited to small rooms or personal use

The Quilo QE1SKS air cooler is one of today’s best small fan and humidifier combos around. More than just stylish, it’s well-made and has some of the best features I’ve seen in its class.

Recommended for rooms up to 250 sq. feet in size, it features up to 500 CFM of wonderful airflow. It can work as a fan, humidifier, or air cooler depending on your comfort needs.

It’s great for many places. Bedrooms, living rooms, sunrooms, patios, and your office. Using only 110W when at maximum cooling, it’s uses about the same electricity as a typical 100W light bulb!

The EC110S control panel (top) features great push button electronic controls. It’s simple to operate and well marked. (Bottom) A front-facing status display with color LED indicators makes seeing the current settings very easy. It’s a cool design and I like it very much. It works well.

The Luma Comfort EC110S uses a simple but effective push button control panel (mounted on top) for all the operation options it includes:

3-speed fan level

Optional fan modes: Natural and Sleep

Swing (oscillation) feature

Auto-off timer (7.5 hours max, in 1/2 hour increments)

Humidifier or air cooler mode

Power on and off

Natural and Sleep modes are great options you’ll really like. In Natural mode, the unit simulates a real breeze by cycling through the 3 fan speeds automatically. In Sleep mode, the fan will run for 30 minutes and automatically reduce speed until it reaches low, where it will remain.

The EC110S includes a basic but extremely handy remote control (battery included). With it you can control all functions at your convenience. Very nice! Right: The unit features a removable 1.5 gallon (5.5L) water tank, air filter, and freeze packs in addition to the remote as well.

Like other competitors, you’ll also get a great little and easy to use remote control that’s handy for doing everything you need. It’s especially great for when you’re relaxing or busy and need to change settings.

Additionally, an air filter is built in to help reduce dust and airborne contaminants when cycling household air. 2 reusable freeze packs are included to help you boost cooling effectiveness.

There’s also and audible low-water reminder. The water tank is easy to fill. To help protect the machine removing the tank will cause it to shut off automatically.

It’s a sleek and well-made design that works well. For the price, it’s hard to beat the design, quality, and ease of use.

PROS:

Remote control (battery included)

Up to 250 sq ft coverage

500 CFM airflow

Oscillation feature

Natural and Sleep automatic fan modes

Low energy use (110W)

Includes reusable freeze packs

Attractive, modern design

Front-mounted LED display works well

Electronic controls

Auto-off timer (7.5 hrs max)

Removable water tank (1.5 gal.)

Washable air filter

Low water reminder + gauge on front

Carrying handles

Easily move / caster wheels on base

CONS:

Auto-off timer limited to 7.5 hrs

Water tank could be larger

Higher airflow rate would be nice

Not as quiet as others (66dB)

Limited to 3 fan speeds

Water level gauge not illuminated

Display doesn’t show low water warning

Remote control could be nicer

The EC110S is a great small to medium-sized room fan, humidifier, and air cooler combo that’s well worth considering. It’s got quality, good features, and works well for all 3 functions you might need.